New partnership helps more children have access to countryside
April 15, 2024
Hundreds more schoolchildren will be able to enjoy inspiring school trips to the National Park than in previous years, thanks to an innovative new partnership between the South Downs National Park and National Express Transport Solutions.
The National Park has teamed up with the leading bus and coach hire specialists to offer schools based in southern England discounted coach travel to over 100 attractions and venues in the South Downs National Park.
The days-out can cover all manner of nature and heritage-based activities, such as wildlife surveying, hands-on conservation tasks, going on a country walk or visiting the zoo or a museum.
The partnership has been announced as the National Park’s Outdoor Learning Grant is now open for applications from schools across the south east. Teachers are being invited to apply for a grant of between £300 and £500 to cover travel costs, reducing the burden on schools and parents to pay for trips.
The new partnership with National Express Transport Solutions provides affordable, reliable and comfortable school transport at a much reduced rate of £295* during school hours.
It means that the Outdoor Learning Grant will go much further with the National Park being able to support an estimated 70 per cent more schools than in previous years.
Schools that are not successful in receiving a grant to cover costs will still be able to use the discounted travel rate from National Express Transport Solutions when visiting the National Park.
Last year more than 4,000 pupils from 72 schools benefitted from the Outdoor Learning Grant. The grants are administered and funded by the National Park Authority, with additional funding from the South Downs National Park Trust, the official charity for the National Park.
Amanda Elmes, Learning, Outreach and Volunteer Lead for the National Park, said: “This is an amazing partnership and will make a huge difference to how many schools we’re able to help and how many children can benefit from connecting with the South Downs.
“Learning about the natural world is such an important part of the curriculum and National Parks offer a fantastic resource for schools to engage with wildlife, landscape, culture and history. The National Park is basically one big outdoor classroom with so many opportunities to learn.
“Unfortunately, the humble school trip, something we all remember with great nostalgia, has become out-of-reach for some schools with the cost of living hiking up prices. The partnership with National Express Transport Solutions means we can support an estimated 50 more schools through the Outdoor Learning Grant on top of what we normally would and, beyond our own funding pot, schools will still be able to make the most of the discounted travel. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Jiten Desai, Head of Regional Sales and Commercial Planning for National Express Transport Solutions, said: “As a leading school transportation specialist National Express Transport Solutions provides affordable, safe and reliable travel for school groups across the UK and we are delighted to have partnered with the South Downs National Park.
“We look forward to providing dedicated travel for hundreds of children across the south of England so that they can enjoy enriching, educational experiences at some of the many South Downs National Park attractions.”
National Express Transport Solutions comprises the UK’s leading bus and coach hire specialists, including Lucketts Travel, Mortons Travel and Worthing Coaches which are the local operators providing transport as part of the partnership with the South Downs National Park.
To apply for an Outdoor Learning Grant visit www.southdowns.gov.uk/learning-and-youth-volunteering/schools-groups/grants-for-schools/
For more information about discounted travel for school trips to the South Downs visit https://nxts.nationalexpress.com/school-coach-hire/middle-of-the-day/south-downs-national-park
- The grant enables schools with 10% or more pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM) to access fantastic opportunities to learn outside the classroom across the National Park.
- Schools with 10% or more FSM can claim £300 towards transport and £250 towards provider costs for the visit. Schools with over 20% FSM can claim £500 towards transport and £250 for provider costs.
- *National Express Transport Solutions is offering a discounted middle of the day rate from £295 for schools travelling between 9am. The discounted rate is subject to availability.
- This offer is available to all schools visiting the South Downs National Park regardless of whether they are successful in receiving an Outdoor Learning Grant.